If you're visiting Penang for the first time and not familiar with the area; also not sure about how to rent an apartment/house in Penang. Here's some information that you can use as a reference.
Gurney Drive
hotspot in Penang with shopping mall, eateries, restaurants, cineplex, etc.
Tanjung Tokong
if you try to avoid heavy traffic in the city, but don't want to be far away from amenities, Tanjung Tokong would be ideal.
Tanjung Bungah
peaceful/quiet neighbourhood with greenery along hillside. The beach is nearby and the city is just a short distance away.
Batu Ferringhi
Tanjung Tokong
Tamarind (2019)
Tanjung Tokong:
Seri Tanjung Pinang's Terraces/SemiD/Bungalow (2007)
Tanjung Bungah:
Permai Garden (2014)
Alila Homes (2008)
Batu Ferringhi:
Ferringhi Villa (2007)
hotspot in Penang with shopping mall, eateries, restaurants, cineplex, etc.
Tanjung Tokong
if you try to avoid heavy traffic in the city, but don't want to be far away from amenities, Tanjung Tokong would be ideal.
Tanjung Bungah
peaceful/quiet neighbourhood with greenery along hillside. The beach is nearby and the city is just a short distance away.
Batu Ferringhi
tourist hotspot, relaxing, accessible to the beach managed by the hotelier.
Popular condo
To start with, here are some of the popular condo choices among expat tenants:Gurney Drive
Setia V Residence (2017)
Setia V Residence (2017)
8 Gurney (2013)
Gurney Paragon (2011)
Gurney Beach Resort Condo (1998)
Tamarind (2019)
Marinox Sky Villas (2016)
Quayside (2013)
Straits Quay (2010)
Tanjung Bungah
Alila 2 (2020)
Tanjung Bungah
Alila 2 (2020)
Mira Residence (2016)
Surin (2012)
Alila Horizon (2008)
Batu Ferringhi
Ferringhi Residence 2 (2020)
Surin (2012)
Alila Horizon (2008)
Batu Ferringhi
Ferringhi Residence 2 (2020)
The Marin (2018)
Ferringhi Residence (2016)
Bayu Ferringhi (2012)
10 Island Resort (2010)
Beachfront property
Most of the beachfront property are located along Tanjung Bungah, and they are generally huge in size ranging between 3,000sq ft up to 6,000sq ft on average; with minimum 3 bedrooms and up to 5 bedrooms.Below are the list of beachfront condo in Tanjung Bungah:
1 Tanjong (2013)
Infinity (2010)
Sky Home (2010)
1 Tanjong (2013)
Infinity (2010)
Sky Home (2010)
The Cove (2007)
Tanjung Beach Condo (2005)
Sri Golden Bay (1999)
Villa Ria (1996)
Condition of property
Most of the rental properties will have a built-in kitchen cabinet regardless if it's unfurnished, semi or fully furnished.Below are the definition of each condition:
Unfurnished
only with fixtures like built-in cabinet, lightings & fans, AC; without any loose furniture or electrical appliances.
only with fixtures like built-in cabinet, lightings & fans, AC; without any loose furniture or electrical appliances.
Semi furnished
with fixtures and some electrical appliances.
with fixtures and some electrical appliances.
Fully furnished
it's a move-in condition furnished with sofa & bed, refrigerator, washing machine, TV, dining table & chairs being the standard setting.
it's a move-in condition furnished with sofa & bed, refrigerator, washing machine, TV, dining table & chairs being the standard setting.
Additional items/appliances
Items like microwave oven, dish washer/dryer, WIFI/internet or cable/satellite TV would be considered as a bonus to the property, where most rental property won’t include such item usually.
Also, items like bedliner, cutlery/kitchen utensil are usually not provided due to hygiene concerns.
Nevertheless, tenant can always request to add-on or to remove any of the furniture/item depending on the individual owner during negotiation prior deal is concluded.
Condo facility
Most condo are gated guarded with condo facility such as swimming pool & gym.Tenant with pet
Most apartments are not pet friendly, despite some apartments allowing residents to keep pets in the apartment. Residents have to remove their pets when there are complaints from the neighbors. It is good to check with the apartment management office about the house rules as some restrict the number of pets per household, and certain breeds are prohibited if dogs.
Hence, house would be ideal for tenants with pets. Nevertheless, it's always good to let the owner know that you have pet particularly if it's a dog or cat prior securing a unit whether it's an apartment or a house as some owners prefer no pet as they tend to leave an odour behind particularly for owners who never own a pet and they can very sensitive about the smell. Also, some pets have the tendency of scratching or biting furniture which is usually the main concern of most owners and which is why they don't prefer pets at first place.
House with clubhouse house/gated guarded
Here's the list if you want to live in a house and have facilities like a swimming pool, gym or gated guarded:Tanjung Tokong:
Seri Tanjung Pinang's Terraces/SemiD/Bungalow (2007)
Tanjung Bungah:
Permai Garden (2014)
Alila Homes (2008)
Batu Ferringhi:
Ferringhi Villa (2007)
Process of renting a property in Penang
Firstly, in order to secure a rental unit, you need to place a 1 month deposit to the owner; and the remaining amount is payable to the owner on the day of move-in. Once the initial deposit is placed, the tenancy agreement will be then sent to both owner and tenant for review prior signing on or before the move-in date.
See below for the usual upfront payment to the owner:
1 to 2 month security deposit depending on individual owner as well as duration of lease
1 month advance rental
Half month utility deposit
Sewage bill advance payment
Hence, the total upfront payment to the owner should be equivalent to about 2.5 to 3.5 months rental being the standard practice in Penang.
Aside from payment to the owner, you have to pay an agent fee that's equivalent to 1 month rental based on 1 to 2 year contract; also a tenancy agreement processing fee and the stamping charges depending on the rental rate.